DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #53
     



From: ingate@shiseis.com (Shane F. Ingate)

Subject: Smog testing in California

Date: Fri, 7 Feb 97 10:17:40 PST



All,



The recent thread on smogging older cars does raise a very important

issue to all of us interested in older cars.  In 1996, California

introduced legislation called SMOG II which is a very stringent series

of tests to be conducted during biannual smog inspections.  Aside from the

initial visual inspection (most after-market manifolds, exhausts, carbs mean an

immediate fail), the gruesome side of this new series of tests (which will

also include dyno-testing) is that it is essentially "two-strikes and

you're out", ie, fail twice and the car can never again be registered in

California.



This is important to all of us, because other states are adopting SMOG II

(Colorado has done so already).  Those of you in other states who think

it is easy to pass smog, "you aint seen nuthin yet".  Europe has a tendancy

to follow the US in these areas, and so our European cousins are not out

of the fire either.



California Senator Quentin Kopp is behind a measure to return

California smog laws to the way they were originally

written, with a rolling 25-year window. The bill first took effect in

1981, which is why cars 1966 and newer were tested. However the rolling

25-year window was never enacted. Kopp's going to try to change it next

month, effective in '98.



The bill is currently labelled SB42, and was passed by the California

Transportation Committee in the state Senate.  Next step is, the bill

will go to the state Senate Appropriations Committee, since it deals

to some extent with money (loss of smog certificate fees from these

exempt cars). Their examination may take several weeks. If the Approp.

Cmte. passes it, then it goes to the state Assembly.  If it makes it

all the way through the Assembly, it goes to the Governor for signature.

If he signs it, it's law, and our 1972 cars will be home free!



I urge all of you to write not only to Senator Kopp expressing your

support, but also your own State Senator as well... Senator Kopp can

be found at:



Web: http://www.sen.ca.gov/htbin/senator_profile/8

Email: Senator.Kopp@sen.ca.gov

Capitol Office: State Capitol Room 2057, Sacramento, CA 95814,

(916) 445-0503

District Office: 363 El Camino Real, Suite 205,

South San Francisco, CA 94080, (415) 952-5666



For those of you in California, an email or letter such as the following

would be appropriate:



Subject: SB-42 Exemption of vehicles over 25 years old

Senator,



I am a California resident and voter. I support your effort to

exempt vehicles over 25 years old from Smog II testing requirements.

These vehicles are generally owned by enthusiasts with the intention

of preserving classic automobiles, and they are driven infrequently,

thereby contributing little to the total emissions in the State. It

would be a shame if these classics after 1966 are forced out of

California and to the scrap pile.



Thank you,



Those in other states could write to their own representatives.

Sign your name and classic-car-club affiliation (all of them!).  DO IT NOW!



Shane Ingate in San Diego